Breastfeeding and smoking is an issue a lot of people ask me about. I’m assuming you know you should not smoke while you’re pregnant! The nicotine you ingest smoking will go through your body and into your baby’s body, addicting it just as surely as you’re addicted. Not only might your child suffer from the harmful effects of all of those chemicals you’re passing on, but when it’s born, it will go through withdrawal symptoms.

So, if you’re pregnant, you need to quit!

Now, what if you just had your child and you can’t (or won’t) quit?

There’s been a big push in the last ten or so years to get mothers in the United States and elsewhere to breastfeed. Breastfeeding offers your child a ton of benefits, including greater immunity to diseases. It might even help protect him from cancer down the line.

But if you’re breastfeeding and smoking, I’m sure you’ve wondered if the harmful chemicals you’re getting through smoking are being passed through your milk to your child.

The answer is, yes they are. For the most part, whatever you ingest into your body can be passed along to your baby through breastfeeding.

So, what are you to do?

Well, the obvious answer is you need to quit smoking! However, that’s much easier said than done. What if you can’t quit-at least for now.

What I don’t want to do is to ever give you an out when it comes to smoking. Let me make myself completely clear: You must quit! And you must quit now!

We do, however, live in a real world, and I know that not every new mother who is breastfeeding and smoking is going to quit just because I said so. So, let’s discuss what you should do about your ****** milk! In other words, should you give up nursing, if you can’t quit smoking?

Before I did some research on this topic, I would have thought that, yes…you should give up nursing if you smoke. After all your baby is getting all of that harmful stuff through you. The CDC, however, thinks otherwise.

The CDC actually recommends that you should breastfeed, even if you smoke. Turns out, breastfeeding is so incredibly good for your child that the benefits outweigh the potential harm.

You still need to quit, though. For more information on how to quit, see my website.

With more mothers needing to go back to work almost right away after childbirth, whether they be single Moms using a daycare provider or a working Mom who has a house husband, there needs to be something to assist them in making sure their baby gets fed properly while they are at work. ****** milk storage bags and pumps have come into being to help with this by being able to be there when Mom isn’t.

The Medela milk storage bag was made to be pumped into directly and then stored for future use making them very convenient. These 5 ounce bags are the perfect size for feeding a newborn baby. If 5 ounces is more than is used at one feeding, then filling them half way works just as well and cuts down on the thawing time too.

If more milk storage is need, the Lansinoh bag holds up to 10 ounces and has a double zip lock closure. This makes this bag much more secure for freezing purposes and reduces the likelihood of waste. The only issue with the Lansinoh bag is that it cannot be pumped directly into as the Medela bag can.

There were reports of both styles of bags leaking, but later it was revealed that this was due to overfilling. Since freezing a liquid causes expansion, this would occur with any bag that had been used in this manner. Of the two, the Lansinoh bag has the better closure for freezing storage and larger capacity.

While both bags have their drawbacks and their good qualities, it is ultimately up to you, the user. Convenience of pumping direct as offer by Medela or the secure storage closure and larger capacity of the Lansinoh bag. The choice is yours.

Like so many of us, in my early stages of parenthood I took a very traditional, mainstream approach to caring for my first-born. I’m thrilled to say that today I’ve grown. For the betterment and health of my children, I examined new ways of doing things. By listening, not only to my heart, but to my babies, and opening my mind to those around me willing to share their wisdom and experiences, I believe I’ve created a bond with my children that will last a lifetime.

Because of this, I hope to share some of my misconceptions and solutions with others, in hope of enlightening them to truly examine their parenting options and methods, and ask themselves if they believe they are as close to their little one’s as they believe they should be. I am here to tell you that raising a baby can truly be a beautiful experience.

My son right now is sleeping. He is sick, poor little man. It’s just a cold, nothing too serious, but my heart aches to make it better, to bend over backward to provide him some relief. My old instincts with my daughter were; run to the store; buy medicine, and give her dose after dose to make the symptoms better. It’s not good for little ones to have the sniffles, right?

I was 22 when my daughter was born; I thought I knew it all. I had read the books, performed research online, taken Lamaze classes for childbirth, and completed both a “new parents” class and a breastfeeding class. I was totally prepared to have my daughter; or so I thought.

Things were tough with her. I knew I wanted to breastfeed, but she had a hard time latching on. The “class” I took did me little to no good. All the “strategies” I was taught, I had forgotten. The methods that worked with the baby doll in class were in no way effective with a moving, screaming newborn. The Lactation consultant at the hospital said, “you’re fine, doing it fine, just keep it up, you’ll get it.” So, I trusted this person knew what she was talking about. And I listened. I didn’t seek more help; I didn’t even realize more help was actually available.

She could not latch. It got to the point where I was hysterical. I was crying, basically praying to God that He not let my baby wake up, because feeding her had become such a traumatic experience. It was truly a sad situation; one that I will never forget.

Well, I know now, the reason behind the difficulties was simple. Not only was I uncomfortable, I was scared. Breastfeeding was foreign to me. I had not seen it done, I personally was not breastfed, nor was my husband at the time. Having the baby there freaked me out, and having her ******* on me was almost worse.

I did know that ****** milk was best, so I bought an electric ****** Pump. I then started pumping every two hours, in order to feed her the “best food” through a bottle. Though I had no idea how MUCH to pump, so I got more milk than my baby could ever drink. To give you an idea of approximately how much I pumped, after Aubrey was fed ****** milk the entire first year of her life, I was still able to ship over 50 pounds of ****** milk to Mothers Milk Bank in Austin Texas. (http://www.mmbaustin.org/)

The Mother’s Milk Bank is a great facility. Their mission: “The Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin is a non-profit organization whose mission is to accept, pasteurize and dispense donor human milk by physician prescription primarily to premature and ill infants.” (Provided by http://www.mmbaustin.org)

Other things I just “knew” before I had her, included babies should be laid down as much as possible, they need to become independent. Babies need to sleep on their own from the beginning and at 6 months they need to “learn” to fall asleep themselves.

Aubrey was as a baby, I am ashamed to say, Furberized (Dr. Furber’s method of parenting and getting kids to sleep is letting them Cry It Out). She was laid on the floor or placed in a swing or car seat a lot. She wasn’t connected to me at all. There were times I felt more like her nanny than her mother. Part of the reason for all of this was my now ex-husband’s belief that Aubrey needed a schedule and structure, and she needed to be in her own bed; the fact that I had read all of those books contributed to the confusion as well. I wanted to be the best parent ever, so I thought reading the books was the way to make that happen.

Frankly, I never once listened to my body, my heart or her cries. Don’t get me wrong, I was not abusive, but we did let her cry, especially after 6 months when we Furberized her to get her to learn how to sleep. I did not listen to the chemical changes in my body when my daughter cried; I did not learn her cues, and we struggled on a day-to-day basis. (“When your baby cries there is an actual chemical reaction in your body, prolactin the ‘mothering hormone’ is releised and your body physically gets ready to breastfeed.” Statement provided by: http://www.consciouschoice.com/1999/cc1210/parenting1210.html)

Then through a series of events that are not relevant, Aubrey’s father and I divorced. I started easing up a bit; I did still believe what all the books said, but I also started thinking maybe I should listen to what Aubrey was trying to say, and my heart as well.

Four years later, at 26, after being a mother for several years, I got pregnant with my son. I had always wanted to be a Mother, but I struggled with the idea of keeping my son. I was opposed to an abortion; but I was not working at the time, and I had a 4-year-old daughter to support. I did more thinking and crying in the first couple months of that pregnancy than I think I have in my entire life.

Unfortunately, within a week of knowing I was pregnant, Zachary’s father decided that he did not want to be a part of Zachary’s life, and signed away his rights to him. So it was all up to me. It was not easy, but in the end I decided to listen to my heart, trust myself and my faith in God, and know that God would never give me more than I could handle. I decided to keep him. It was one of the most frightening and difficult decisions I have ever made not because I did not want or love Zachary, but because I wanted the absolute best for Zachary!

With that decision behind me, then came the thoughts of how I would parent him. I knew that there had to be better methods than those I used with my daughter. She had been so detached from me. Again, I turned to my heart, listened, and tried to trust myself. Over time, I’ve gradually learned that trusting my own judgment is a major accomplishment.

I was determined to breastfeed. Come hell or high water, I would breastfeed. So I started looking for help before my son was born, joining my local La Leche League (http://www.lalecheleague.org/) “The La Leche League International mission is: To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.” The League has wonderful support groups, and great leaders, that really CARE about your breastfeeding success!!

I wrote up a plan, and on that plan I pledged that Zachary was not to have any bottles at all after birth, and I stuck to it. Again, breastfeeding wasn’t easy. Zachary had a hard time latching. I had a lot of extra milk and over active let down. We struggled hard in those first few days and weeks.

However, despite the difficulties, instead of crying and hoping my son would never wake up, I spent many nights just staring at the wonder of him. I would stroke his hair and breathe his new baby smell, soaking in every detail of who he was. I am sitting here crying as I think of this time; what an amazing experience that was.

After we left the hospital the fun began. And this time it really was fun. Though many in my family and those around me felt that Zachary was more work than Aubrey, for me, it was far less.

I held Zachary all the time

Did you know that it’s physically impossible to hold a baby too much? I nursed him on demand, and did not let him cry. If he cried, it was with in the loving wrap of my arms. Everyone told me I would spoil him, but even science says: “Attachment studies have spoiled the spoiling theory. Researchers Drs. Bell and Ainsworth at John Hopkins University studied two sets of parents and their children. Group A were attachment-parented babies. These babies were securely attached, the products of responsive parenting. Group B babies were parented in a more restrained way, with a set schedule and given a less intuitive and nurturing response to their cues. All these babies were tracked for at least a year. Which group do you think eventually turned out to be the most independent? Group A, the securely attached babies. Researchers who have studied the affects of parenting styles on children’s later outcome have concluded, to put it simply, that the spoiling theory is utter nonsense.”

Not only does science support my new way of parenting, so did my heart. And, it ended up being FAR less work than the way I had tried to parent before. I utilized new tools, that I had no knowledge of after my first pregnancy, like baby carriers. Traditional things like swings and bouncers did not work for Zachary; he wanted to be with me. So I took to slinging him daily, constantly just about, and it was far more effective as other tools we tried.

Think about it, what’s the ONE thing they tell new parents, that babies like best, learn from best and want around most? You and your face. Babies learn from the face and actually like looking at it better than anything else in the world. Why do you think a baby can see best within 6-8 inches of their face? That’s the traditional distance between their nursing face and your face! They like to look at you and love the natural sway of your body.

Attachment parenting is not something I knew about before I had my son or my daughter. My finding the phrase for it was by pure accident, though I am so glad I did. It so helps to know other mom’s like me, and know I am not alone.

For me attachment parenting is not about following a set of rules, although there are “guidelines” that reinforce the theory of “attachment parenting”. Attachment parenting can include things like Emotional Responsiveness, Breastfeeding, Baby wearing, Shared Sleep, Avoiding Prolonged Separation, Positive Discipline and maintaining a balance in your family life.

If for one reason or another sharing sleep, for example, is not for you, rest assured that would not at all imply that you’re not an attached parent or that you’re “bad” in some way. All aspects of attachment parenting are not for everyone. Being an attached parent is more or less just a general term, for loving and becoming in-tune to, and more responsive with your own baby.

All parents love their children, but many don’t “know” their children. One cry sounds like every other; one gesture is just like the rest. An attached parent is much more likely to know and understand their baby’s wants and needs and do something about them. Knowing the difference between a cry of hunger from a cry from fear would be a good example.

Babies don’t do things to manipulate us; they do things because that’s all they can do, to get the response they need from the people that love them. Until birth, all they’ve known is being in a warm, cozy place where they were never hungry or hurt. Now, all of a sudden they are thrust into the world of lights, loud noises, hunger, experiencing pain and feeling cold! How scary it must be for them. Attachment Parenting is about realizing that, and allowing ourselves to be nurturing.

In closing, be true to yourself, your marriage (or relationship), and to your baby and/or children. Trust that in the end no matter what kind of parent you are, your children are blessed to have you in their lives. There are many different ways to parent, I hope that you will open your mind to the different possibilities out there, look “outside” the mainstream line of things, and more to the natural side of things. There are many places to get awesome attachment parenting products to help you in your quest, as well as websites with a lot more information. I suggest Attachment Parenting International (http://www.attachmentparenting.org/) which has support groups, and other information, and Kelly Mom is also a great website for help with breastfeeding. (http://www.kellymom.com) to name a few.

I am a mother of four, trained as a nurse and midwife. I breastfed all my children and enjoyed every minute. I never found it difficult but worry that today so many young mothers do. I am convinced that they are taught to accept breastfeeding as best, but get stressed even before they try, instead of regarding breastfeeding as the most natural thing in the world. How comforting it is for baby and mother, and how close you feel to that precious little bundle.

Why did I Breastfeed?

I never ever considered bottle-feeding and feel breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. I never expected problems and experienced very few.

I have strong feelings that breastfeeding has been made too clinical. Women don`t see this as easy or attractive. Too many controversial books are published which add confusion to what should be the most natural thing in the world. I am not denying that some women have genuine problems but feel these are in the minority.

I think stress and the worry accounts for 90% of breastfeeding problems

A baby when born has a very immature digestive system and only demands what the body requires. Mothers` body copes with this by producing small amounts of Colostrum for a few days. This is concentrated and full of immune enhancing nutrients. It is like the cream of the milk. You don`t get this with formula milk. – fact

A baby needs this colostrum as all mammals. You`ve only got to see lambs feeding. If a lamb is not able to feed on this colostrum it inevitably becomes sick.

I know this and experienced this, as in my younger days had and nursed some orphan lambs.

So What should we do?

Make yourself comfortable. This is more important as the baby gets heavier. I always made sure my arm was supported, as this was the way I fed. It came naturally I fed cradling my baby in the crook of my left arm.

Relax and don`t expect baby to latch straight away. They have to learn too although this is a quick lesson for them.

A baby will smell its mothers milk and often get a little agitated, don`t let this stress you out. Calm baby by stroking its head or cheek. Squeeze a little of the colostrum so that baby can taste it, he/she will then more readily open its mouth wide to suckle. Don`t worry you will get used to it and so will baby.

It is important to latch properly as this is what causes soreness. A baby has to take in the whole of the ******. If this happens there will be no problems.

Timing is controversial or so it seems of late. I used to feed 3minutes each side in the early days, so that baby had all the colostrum. This worked for me. The advice is also to demand feed. I never ever worried about whether the baby was having enough or too much, I think you can tell this as you get to know one another. In the early days you may have to feed every two hours to encourage the milk to come in. This is OK but there should be no need for this after the first three days.

I never clock watched and always let baby dictate to me. They generally established their own pattern very quickly. I also used to start on one breast, give ten minutes and then if needed transfer to the other ****** to finish. The first eight weeks are the hardest, but they all established their own pattern quickly. generally they fed four hourly and came off night feeds on their own. I`ve seen this repeated with my grandchildren when mum has decided to throw away the book. Perhaps this is a little harsh some books are very good, but be careful and take advice.

So how can you tell how often to feed. ?

A baby will not be contented if it hasn`t had enough.

Babies cry for other reasons such as dirty nappy, colic etc. Rule these out.

You can see if a baby isn`t having enough food. Sometimes in the early days they can become very tired excessively so and you do need to encourage them to feed. Don`t let a baby go over three hours in the early days.

You can also see if a baby isn`t having enough fluid because their skin looks very dry. If you are worried do seek advice from your GP or midwife.

There are products on the market that help with some problems like colic and I have a few tips and tricks which I will list later.

There are really nice electric pumps on the market now and I think they are a boon.

Expressing milk can give you a much needed rest on occasions and will enable your partner or relative to help out.

Expressing milk will also encourage the production of milk.

Some advantages.

Breast milk is the best food for new-born babies packed with all the essential nutrients required for their growth and overall development. No wonder doctors all over the globe vouch for the benefits of ****** milk, both for the mothers and for their babies.

Mother’s milk consists of all the essential elements and in the right proportions that are required by young ones for adequate growth. ****** milk consists of lactoferrin that helps babies absorb the right quantities of iron and protects them from infections. It also contains certain hormones that help fight allergies and increase metabolism leading to proper digestion.

Breast Milk Provides The Ultimate Nutrition

Mother’s milk can never be a substitute for artificial feeds as it contains all the essential nutrients – fat, sugar, protein, vitamins, minerals and water – in adequate quantities as required for the growth of new born babies. The ****** milk’s composition also changes according to the child’s nutritional requirements, helping the child garner an all round development, both mentally and physically.

Breast Milk Results In The Child’s Overall Growth

Babies fed with ****** milk for even a little while are exposed to fewer ailments, as opposed to their counterparts. ****** milk provides a complete solution to all the nutritional requirements of a growing infant, helping him become stronger, more active, and intelligent. ****** milk contains ingredients like DHA (docosohexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid), which contributes to speedier brain and retinal development.

Breast Milk Augments The Child’s Immunity

Mother’s milk is packed with all the essential nutrients that a child requires for his development during his growing stage. ****** milk contains certain essential enzymes and antibodies that help immunize the young ones and helps keep infections at bay. In addition, breast-fed children run lesser risk of obesity in the future, as compared to the ones fed with bottled milk. In addition, babies fed with ****** milk run lesser risk of sudden Infant death syndrome (SIDS), high cholesterol, and asthma in the first year of their life.

Benefits For Nursing Mothers

Breast-feeding requires burning of extra calories, helping the nursing mother shed pounds of weight they put on during pregnancy. It also helps the uterus get back in shape similar to prior to pregnancy. It lowers the risk of ****** and ovarian cancers.

Breastfeeding Helps Strengthen Emotional Bond

As breast-feeding requires close mother-child skin-to-skin contact and demands exclusive time to be spent by the mother, it helps strengthen her bond with her child, leading to the child feeling secure and comfortable.

Breastfeeding Benefits All

Breastfeeding is a simple and easy-to-do task, requiring no elaborate preparation. As breastfed babies are less prone to ailments, it helps reduce the society’s medical costs. In addition more babies being breastfed means lesser use of artificial feeds, thereby requiring lesser containers, and a healthier environment.

Thus, breastfeeding is essential for both the development of the growing child as well as for the health of mum. With goodness galore, breastfeeding is advisable to all mothers for the benefit of her child and self!

Some breastfeeding Pointers.

Mums should try to maintain a healthy diet at all times but this is especially important when breastfeeding, as anything you consume is transferred to your baby through your ****** milk. If you are breastfeeding, smoking and recreational drugs can be really harmful, so don’t even consider it! Minimise your caffeine and alcohol consumption and try to avoid food additives and pharmaceutical drugs. Start breastfeeding as soon as possible and don’t introduce expressed milk in a bottle until breastfeeding is properly established Mums should make sure they are in a comfortable position and in a relaxed environment. Maintain a positive attitude from the start. Position yourself as you feel comfortable. There are loads of different feeding positions, but try to adopt one that you feel happy and comfortable with don`t accept a position because it is the trend. Don’t feel shy about asking questions and ask as many as you like. That’s what health professionals are there for. Breastfeeding should not be painful. If it is, seek help and advice as soon as possible! Consider purchasing, hiring or borrowing an electric ****** pump to enable both parents to give baby a bottle when necessary. This gives mums back some independence and is a fantastic opportunity for partners and friends to help with feeding and bonding with baby after breastfeeding is established. If you work make sure that you are able to have a private place to feed or express. If possible, consider changing working hours to suit your needs. There are many support groups out there. You should be able to find information in your GP`s surgery.

Some natural solutions to breastfeeding problems

Feed babies regularly to stimulate milk production. Use expressed ****** milk to soothe cracked ******* (it’s also good for baby’s eye infections, cradle cap and dry skin!) Warm baths can help mums to relax and their milk to flow.

A warm compress applied to the ****** can also help as can massage. Full, sore ******* or engorged ******* can be soothed with frequent feeding or expressing. Savoy cabbage leaves can be tucked inside the bra to reduce swelling and absorb heat. Put leaves in the fridge first, cut a circle out of the middle for the ****** and score lightly with a sharp knife. This releases the juices in the leaf which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Essential oils such as calendula and chamomile diluted in carrier oil can be used to soothe inflammation but care should be taken not to put them near the ****** or surrounding area. If baby develops sore buttocks, which is not usual when breastfeeding, but can occur later, use the white of an egg. ***** an egg and separate. Use this to smear on to the sore area. Keep egg in the fridge in between. Egg white protects and lowers inflammation. I`ve never seen anything work as quick on sore buttocks. Better than any cream.

Some Homoeopathic Remedies to Consider

Phytolacca – This is taken by mum and will help the flow of milk. It is not harmful to baby or mother. Arnica – Used mainly on bruising. If you have bruised areas from birth use this remedy to heal quicker. Allium Cepa – This can be made up in a sterile bottle and used as drops for baby colic. Belladonna – Used for inflammation anywhere. So can be used for inflammation or heat in the *******.

Homoeopathic remedies have no side affects and are completely safe for Mum and Baby.

If breastfeeding is so great, why are the rates so low ? Are you having problems in breastfeeding? Are you tempted to give it all up and return to formula milk? Learn how to breastfeed and all the advantages it will give to your baby and yourself. You need to do it right so here are some breastfeeding tips and useful site which is run by a breastfeeding mom.

Breastfeeding is a normal part of everyday life, and a girl inherits the accumulated knowledge of previous generations about such things as how to position the baby at the breast, how to tell if you have a let-down of the milk, and how to tell if the baby is properly latched on and is getting milk Breastfeeding is the quickest and easiest way to soothe and settle your baby. Breastfeeding is good for every part of baby’s body–from the brain to the diaper area. Breastfeeding is particularly beneficial for premature babies and may also protect children against: allergies, asthma, diabetes obesity, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.

Breastfeeding isn’t as easy as the pictures of serene mothers feeding their newborns would have you believe, nor as hard as some of the old wives’ tales may suggest. Breastfeeding is more than a way to feed a baby, it becomes a lifestyle. An enormous and still-growing body of medical research demonstrates that breastfeeding is the optimal means of exclusively feeding babies through about six months of age and continues to provide benefits as a portion of a child’s diet through at least two years of age. There are other, more personal, advantages to breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is easier than formula feeding, once the initial period of adjustment is over.

What Are The Advantages Of Breastfeeding?

It is one of the unique powers of womanhood to provide the perfect food for a baby, with only her own body. ****** milk is always available, clean and pure, the right temperature and composition, and is uniquely suited to each individual baby’s changing needs throughout infancy and early childhood. Night feedings are no effort, especially when the baby is sleeping in the same bed, or right next to the mother’s bed. Breastfeeding requires no equipment, unless separation between the mother and baby in the early months requires the expression and storing of milk for later use. Even a family with the mother working outside the home will find that expressing the mother’s milk can be more convenient than using formula: because a breastfed baby will probably have less frequent and less severe illnesses than one who is fed formula, the parents can anticipate fewer days off to take care of a sick baby.

Feeding

Feeding a baby formula costs about 2,000 USD annually. Why breastfeeding is superior to formula milk. For example, the use of formula instead of breastfeeding in industrialized countries is associated with: more cases, and more severe cases, of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. If you would like to explore further the implications of breastfeeding your baby and would like to learn how to breastfeed and some breastfeeding tips, then the article and link below will be helpful.

I was very stubborn when I first started pumping ****** milk for my newborn. I had received suggestions from various friends and family members that buying an electric pump was just a waste of money. They said that a manual would do just as well, (some said even better), and costs a fraction of what an electric would. The problem was, all the people I was getting advice from had not pumped themselves for years and were unaware of the major advances and improvements that have been made by electric pump manufacturers. If I had it to do over again, I would not buy a manual ****** pump.

The main reason is they just don’t work nearly as well as electrics. Electric ****** pumps, good ones anyway, simulate the way a baby suckles at the ****** and makes the flow of milk come naturally. A manual pump relies solely on your hand power and no natural flow takes place. It is tiring, and takes on average about four times as long to expel the same amount of milk as an electric does. In short, you have to work harder, for a longer period of time.

Also, comfort comes into play here. It is frustrating to be in constant pain while pumping. Manual pumps, in general, pay much less attention to a woman’s comfort while pumping. Most of the top electric pumps have gel ****** cups or soft plastic ones. Manual ****** cups are hard and leave marks on the skin during and after pumping.

Lastly, manuals have gotten more expensive. They are still less than electrics but in some cases, not a whole lot less. Unfortunately, even the more expensive manuals are not worth the price they cost and will not come close to performing as well, or lasting as long as a quality electric pump. If you do buy a manual ****** pump, it should be for occasional use only. Every day use should be done with a quality electric pump. Also…

Even though this is a manual pump and not an electrical one, it has been my favorite ****** pump thus far. I use it for times when I’ll be away from baby for a night or during out of town trips away from baby where I’ll need to relieve the pressure and keep up my milk supply until I return. This pump costs around $25 and comes quite in handy for those who need a pump just some of the time rather than on a consistent basis.

I like how portable this pump is. There are three parts that must be assembled for each use. It is the base (with the breastshield), the handle and the bottle. The handle snaps right on top of the base and the bottle screws into the bottom to fill with milk. The breastshield is a soft, flexible plastic that fits over the ******. These can be unassembled and placed in a small travel bag which is easy for storage or for traveling.

The Medela manual pump is very easy to use and quite effective, too. I find that I can get more milk out with this than electrical brands. The handle has two methods of extracting the milk, called a 2-Phase Expression. One is to mimic the natural ******* that a baby does as soon as he latches on, which is rapid. The other has longer ******* strokes to mimic the natural rhythm of a baby as he drinks milk. The two of these are able to effectively extract the milk.

Medela sells another manual ****** pump that utilizes a long spring that attaches to the base, instead of the handle of the Harmony one. Be aware that this isn’t the same hand pump and this one actually works horribly and is not worth your money. The Harmony one, however, is the one I always recommend to other breastfeeding mothers who have tried various pumps and can’t seem to catch a break. They agree this one is easy to use and does work.

For busy mothers, ****** pumps offer convenience and the peace of mind that comes from knowing they’re providing for their child as only a mother can. For working mothers who are unable to meet the schedule-busting feeding demands of their child, they can use a ****** pump to save time while ensuring their baby receives essential nutrients. But, there are many different types of pumps. Some are manual while others are powered by batteries. Some cost $150 while others may retail for nearly $400. And once you’ve invested in a pump that is right for you and your child, using it can present its own challenges.

Below, we’ll describe the different types of ****** pumps that are popular among mothers. Then, we’ll explain how you can use your pump to provide the milk your baby needs.

Types Of ****** Pumps

There are 3 main types of pumps: manual, battery-powered and electric. The least expensive are manual models. Because manual pumps don’t rely upon motorized parts, they rarely break. That being said, they can often be tiring to use. Battery-powered ****** pumps have largely fallen out of favor. While they offer high portability, they **** much more slowly than a baby. As a result, it’s not uncommon for a mother’s milk supply to decline after prolonged use.

Electric pumps are especially popular among women who have returned to their jobs. They mirror the ******* pattern of a baby much more closely than a battery-powered pump. Plus, they’re designed to pump milk from both ******* simultaneously. The main drawback is that electric pumps are expensive.

How To Use Your ****** Pump

First, allow your body to grow accustomed to using your pump. If you’re currently nursing your child (without using a pump) and plan to return to your job, start several days before returning to work. Not only will this allow you to get used to feeling of the pump, you can store an extra supply of milk for emergencies.

Second, schedule your pumping. If you use your ****** pump sporadically (or worse, skip pumping sessions), your body can respond by changing your milk supply. Set a time each day (or several times throughout the day) during which you intend to pump. Third, if you’re having difficulty coping with the feeling of not nursing your baby naturally, use pictures of your baby while pumping. Doing so will help you to relax and focus on your child.

A Mother’s Love

Often, it’s not possible to nurse your child. The reasons may include time constraints, physical sensitivity, or even a sick baby who in unable to feed. In each case, a ****** pump can be a valuable tool that allows you to provide your baby with natural milk. Plus, they can give a father an opportunity to bond with his infant through feeding.

If your budget allows, consider investing in an electric ****** pump. Then, start early (if you’re returning to your job), schedule regular daily sessions and use pictures of your baby to help you focus while pumping. A mother’s love for her baby shouldn’t be restricted by lack of time. Your ****** pump provides a channel through which you can express that love.

Baby formula was originally intended to be a milk substitute for women who couldn’t breastfeed. Today, it is peddled as the next best thing to mother’s milk, suggesting that it is just as healthful as ****** milk, Health care providers often promote bottle feeding by giving free samples of formula to new mothers.

Yet, no man made concoction can duplicate the properties of ****** milk, no matter how many supplements are added to it. Breastfeeding offers many benefits that formula cannot deliver.

Breastfed babies get fewer ear infections and other infections, due to antibiotics in ****** milk. They get less diarrhea, constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets. They have a reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Breastfed babies tend to have straighter teeth and don’t get “baby bottle syndrome” (buck teeth from bottle). Breastfeeding satisfies the baby’s emotional needs and increases bonding between mother and baby. And breastfed babies smell better, from top to bottom, but especially the bottom.

Some benefits to breastfed babies are lifelong. In later childhood, there is a decreased risk of tooth decay, diabetes, and some childhood cancers. As adults, they will have fewer allergies. In fact, it has been estimated that 65% of bottle fed babies will develop a lifelong allergy. Adults who were breastfed tend to have lower cholesterol levels; are less likely to be obese; are less likely to have high blood pressure, and are less likely to have heart disease. They will have a reduced risk of: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, compared to adults who were bottle fed. The antibodies in ****** milk seem to last a lifetime, as adults who were breastfed are less likely to have ear infection, or other infections;

Breastfeeding also benefits the mother greatly. It helps delay the return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies. It reduces the risk of postnatal depression, and helps to develop an emotional relationship and bonding with her child. Breastfeeding helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding. Nursing mothers get more rest than bottle feeding moms, as there is no screaming baby in the middle of the night waiting on the formula to heat up; you can nurse while sleeping. Both mom and baby sleep better. Dad sleeps better to, since he never has to get out of bed to help with feeding. Breastfeeding mothers have less chance of ****** cancer, as well as some other forms of cancer throughout life. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of osteoporosis in later years. Above all, breastfeeding gives you the satisfaction of knowing you are giving your baby the best start in life.

Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended for use as diagnosis or treatment of a health problem or as a substitute for consulting a licensed medical professional.

Is your baby making you feel like an alien? Is he or she making you feel like you’re trying to feed her the most awful thing, when you’re trying to give him or her the best nutrition out there? You may be experiencing a nursing strike. If your baby is refusing to nurse, they usually have their own reasons why. First, always rule out a medical problem. Take a quick look in the baby’s mouth and check for teething, cold sores or any kind of mouth infections like thrush. If the baby’s mouth is sore, chances are they will not want to eat if it causes them pain. An ear infection, cold, or stuffy nose could also make it very painful or miserable to nurse. If you suspect any of these, see your pediatrician.

Some babies will stop nursing due to getting used to a bottle. A bottle is a lot less work, and makes it easier and faster for a baby to eat. Babies realize this and will often want the bottle over the ******. This is something you can work on. Make sure you have the slowest flow ******. This will make your baby have to work a little bit harder, and feel the “work” of getting it out is similar to the ******. Doing this could bring your baby back to the ****** a lot easier. Be consistent though and make sure all bottles are slow flow.

Other babies may stop nursing due to overuse of a pacifier, resulting in lower milk supply or a disruption in your baby’s routine. Have you switched perfumes or started wearing a new one, your baby may not like the new smell. These are just a few reasons.

If you suspect it isn’t a medical issue, you can start by making sure your baby has a lot of skin-to-skin contact. Spending a full day without interruptions if possible, keeping your baby close with skin-to-skin contact will boost your supply and help your baby to want to nurse. It’s very easy to give into bottles at this point, but don’t lose your cool. Your baby may get frustrated, but if you want to save your nursing relationship, it would be best to see this nursing strike through. Don’t give up, or give in by giving a bottle. Help your baby through the frustrating times.

You can help your baby by hand expressing or pumping to the point before your letdown. This will help reward your baby and give them the desire to work at it. Pumping in between feedings will also help increase your milk supply, or you can use specific supplements. There are many safe herbs that work well, or you can talk to your baby’s pediatrician about prescription drugs that can help your milk.

Nursing strikes are never fun, and can be very nerve wrecking for new moms but realize they aren’t permanent. Your baby is learning how to tell you that they are frustrated. It’s ok, you just need to help your baby so they aren’t continuously frustrated. Take it feeding by feeding and you will get through this tough time. You will feel so much better once you’ve endured through this, and your nursing relationship goes back on track.